Division News & Statements

Grand Valley honors veterans

November 10, 2017

(This story originally appeared on GVNow)

Grand Valley celebrated students, faculty and staff members who are
veterans or active military members during the Veterans Day Breakfast
November 10. The seventh annual event was hosted by President Thomas
J. Haas, a retired captain in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Haas thanked all veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air
Force, Coast Guard and Marines, as well as ROTC students. He
highlighted support services, including a grant Grand Valley recently
received to establish a TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program that
will support veterans with degree completion.

"Grand Valley is proud to serve those who served us," Haas
said. "This new program joins a variety of support services and
programs that allow us to continue our commitment to helping veterans
and service members succeed during their time at Grand Valley."

There are currently 677 student veterans and dependents attending
Grand Valley, including 402 veterans using G.I. Bill benefits.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) attended the event, as well as
members from the American Legion Walter Durkee Post 311 in Grand
Rapids. Euphoria, a student acapella group, kicked off the event with
a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Veterans will also be celebrated November 11 at Grand Valley's
football game against Tiffin University at 1 p.m. at Lubbers Stadium.
The game will kick off with a special appearance by a group of
professional skydivers who will deliver the game ball by landing on
midfield of the stadium. The Laker football team will wear a special
uniform inspired by the U.S. Navy, and two veterans will be recognized
and deemed honorary game day captains.

Grand Valley has received national recognition for its commitment to
veterans. Most recently, the university received gold status — the
highest status — from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for its
dedication to student veterans and dependents of G.I. Bill and other
education benefits.

Learn more about Grand Valley's Student Veterans Network at
gvsu.edu/veterans. Learn more about the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound
program at www.gvsu.edu/vub.

For More Information Contact: Leah Twilley in University
Communications - 616-331-2221